Attachable container cover

ABSTRACT

A container cover formed in the shape of a recognizable object is disclosed. The outer covering material of the container cover may resemble an object, such as clothing, animals, or other recognizable items or characters. Preferably, the container cover has a size-adjustable opening configured to receive a first object, such as a container or an electronic device. The invention also includes a plurality of straps that may releaseably connect together to secure the covering material to a second object, such as a bicycle or a belt loop. Furthermore, the straps may be configured to appear as the arms, legs, sleeves, or other extensions of the recognizable object. In one embodiment, the container cover may be insulated with an insulating material.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/401,645 filed on Aug. 6, 2002 for Ralph W. Thompson.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. The Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to container covers, and more specifically, to attachable container covers formed to resemble a recognizable object.

[0004] 2. The Relevant Art

[0005] In recent years, drink containers, such as water bottles or soda cans, have become popular items to carry throughout the day to various types of activities. During these activities, however, a container may be easily misplaced or mistakenly interchanged for someone else's container, causing great frustration and possibly spreading disease. In addition, the beverage in the container may become room temperature and loose its appeal altogether.

[0006] Some have tried to address these problems by providing apparatus to hold or cover drink containers. One example may be a belt pack or carrying pack to hold water bottles. These packs, however, generally are cumbersome and work best in casual environments, such as for hiking trips. Another example may be insulated beverage holders. These covers may provide adequate insulation for a beverage, but the bulkiness of the cover may hinder a user from transporting the drink container. Additionally, the packs and insulated beverage holders lack versatility and aesthetic value, both important qualities beneficial in today's fast-paced society. Accordingly, an innovative container cover that provides insulation, a versatile way to carry a beverage container, and an attractive outer covering is desirable.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The attachable container cover of the present invention provides a container cover formed to resemble a recognizable object that may be used to carry a beverage container or other object. The outer covering material of the container cover may resemble a recognizable object, such as clothing, animals, or other recognizable items or characters. Thus a container or object may be easily identified and/or personalized with an attractive outer covering.

[0008] The container cover may have additional elements including a size-adjustable opening in the covering material and a plurality of straps. Preferably, the opening, which may comprise a fastener, is configured to receive a first object, such as a container or electronic device. The plurality of straps, which are coupled to the covering material, may releaseably connect together to secure the covering material to a second object, such as a bicycle, carrying bag, or a belt loop. Furthermore, the straps may be configured to appear as the arms, legs, sleeves, or other extensions of the recognizable object. The straps of the attachable container cover provide the apparatus for a user to carry or transport a container or other object.

[0009] In one embodiment, the container cover may be insulated with an insulating material. Preferably, the outer covering material conceals or disguises the insulating material. In certain embodiments, the insulating material may be removably attached to the inside of the container cover.

[0010] The covering material in certain embodiments maybe configured to resemble a coat. In such cases, the plurality of straps accordingly resembles the sleeves of the coat. The plurality of straps preferably comprises a plurality of attachment devices that engage one another. For example, the sleeves of the coat may have attachment devices configured to appear as two hands interlocking. The opening in the covering material consequently receives an item so that the item appears to be wearing a coat. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In order that the manner in which the advantages and objects of the invention are obtained will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of an attachable container cover in accordance with the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of an attachable container cover opened to receive a container; and

[0014]FIG. 3 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of an attachable container cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an attachable container cover 10 configured to hold a container 12. In the depicted embodiment, the covering material 14 is configured to resemble a coat. The container cover 10, however, may be formed in the shape of any recognizable object, such as a jacket, clothing, animals or characters, and containers. The covering material 14 may be made of any appropriate material to portray the recognizable object. The container 12 may represent any item suitable to be covered by or transported in the present invention. One example of an alternate item may include an electronic device. Preferably, the container cover 10 includes an opening 16 in the covering material 14 to receive the container 12 or alternate item. In one embodiment, the size of the opening 16 may be adjusted using a fastener (not shown), thus allowing a user to adjust the size of the container cover 10 to accommodate different sizes of containers 12 or other small items. In certain embodiments, the attachable container cover stands on it own once a container 12 is placed inside of it.

[0016] The straps 18 as illustrated are configured to appear as the sleeves of the coat and allow the covering material 14 to be securely attached to a second object. For example, the straps 18 may be attached around a belt, a belt loop, a bike, a picnic basket, a camera case, a duffel bag or the like. The straps 18 may comprise belts, ropes, string, or the like and maybe length adjustable. For instance, in certain embodiments, the straps 18 may be lengthened to function as a shoulder strap or shortened to connect around the wrist. In the depicted embodiment, attachment devices 20 at the end of the straps 18 provide the apparatus to connect the straps 18 together. The attachment device 20 may be any apparatus that temporarily or releasably connects or engages a corresponding attachment device 20. Examples may include rope, snaps, buckles, Velcro®, wire, buttons, or the like.

[0017] In certain embodiments, an insulating material 22 placed inside of the container cover 10 insulates a beverage or an item as it is stored or transported in the cover 10. Thus the temperature of the item may remain relatively unchanged over long periods of time. Preferably, the outer covering material 14 conceals or disguises the insulating material 22. In certain embodiments, the insulating material 22 may be removably attached to the inside of the attachable container cover 10. For example, in one embodiment, an insulated liner may be attached to the liner of the cover 10 using Velcro®. In an alternate embodiment, the insulated liner may be secured by a sliding snap. In further embodiments, the insulating material 22 may be incorporated into the covering material 14.

[0018]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of an attachable container cover 10 with the insulating material 22 incorporated into the covering material 14, so the insulating material 22 is not part of a separate liner. Also illustrated is an opening 16 in the covering material 14 opened to receive the container 12. Accordingly, a fastener 24 modifies the size of the opening 16 to secure the container cover 10 around the container 12. In one embodiment, the fastener 24 may be a strip of Velcro®. In other embodiments, the fastener 24 may be any device appropriate to modify the size of the opening 16, such as a zipper, snap, button, buckle, tie, or the like.

[0019]FIG. 3 represents an alternate embodiment of the attachable container cover 10 with the covering material 14 configured to resemble a small animal. Accordingly, the straps 18 represent the arms (or legs) of the animal. As depicted, fasteners 20 connect the straps 18, forming an apparatus to secure the covering material 14 to a second object. Also depicted is the opening 16, which is configured to create a hood 26 for the container 12.

[0020] In alternate embodiments, the attachable container cover 10 may be formed to resemble clothing or characters. In such cases, the straps 18 may be configured to resemble sleeves or pant legs of the clothing or the arms and legs of a character. A hood 26 may be created to represent a head, hat, hair, or other recognizable objects. For example, an attachable container cover 10 may resemble a cartoon character with straps 18 as the arms and legs of the character, and the hood 26 as the head. Alternately, the cover 10 may, in one embodiment, resemble a golf bag with the straps 18 as the represented straps of a recognized golf bag.

[0021] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container cover formed to resemble a recognizable object, comprising: a covering material configured to resemble of a recognizable object; an opening in the covering material, the opening configured to receive a first object; and a plurality of straps coupled to the covering material, the straps configured to cooperatively secure the covering material to a second object.
 2. The container cover of claim 1, wherein the first object comprises a container.
 3. The container cover of claim 1, wherein the first object comprises an electronic device.
 4. The container cover of claim 1, further comprising a fastener configured to modify the size of the opening.
 5. The container cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of straps are configured to releasably connect together.
 6. The container cover of claim 1, wherein the recognizable object comprises a jacket.
 7. The container cover of claim 6, wherein the plurality of straps are configured to appear as sleeves.
 8. The container cover of claim 1, wherein the recognizable object comprises an animal.
 9. The container cover of claim 8, wherein the plurality of straps comprises the arms of the animal.
 10. The container cover of claim 8, wherein the plurality of straps comprises the front legs of the animal.
 11. The container cover of claim 1, wherein the recognizable object comprises an article of clothing.
 12. The container cover of claim 11, wherein the plurality of straps comprises the arms of the article of clothing.
 13. The container cover of claim 11, wherein the plurality of straps comprises the legs of the article of clothing.
 14. The container cover of claim 1, further comprising insulating materials for insulating the container.
 15. An item and a covering for the item, comprising: an item; a covering material configured to resemble a recognizable object; an opening in the covering material, the opening configured to receive a first object; and a plurality of straps coupled to the covering material, the straps configured to cooperatively secure the covering material to a second object.
 16. The item and covering of claim 16, wherein the item comprises a container.
 17. The item and covering of claim 16, wherein the item comprises an electronic device.
 18. An item cover configured to resemble a coat, the item cover comprising: an item; a covering material configured to resemble a coat; an opening in the covering material, the opening configured to receive an item; and a plurality of straps coupled to the covering material, the straps configured to cooperatively secure the covering material to an object.
 19. The item cover of claim 19, wherein the item comprises a container.
 20. The item cover of claim 19, wherein the item comprises an electronic device.
 21. The item cover of claim 19, wherein the plurality of straps is configured to resemble sleeves of the covering material.
 22. The item cover of claim 19, wherein the plurality of straps further comprises a plurality of attachment devices, the attachment devices configured to engage another attachment device. 